from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

The template for Brendan Shanahan is found right here — in the rosters, methods and good fortunes of the two-time Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks and the building of an eventual champion, Tampa Bay Lightning.

They didn’t become contenders without first bottoming out, without cashing in on early draft picks, without utilizing their American Hockey League teams to develop talent, without strategically using free agency to finalize spots and touch up the roster and without patience.

Lots of patience.

“We didn’t really set a timeline on it,” said Steve Yzerman, general manager of the Lightning, talking about his five-year run on the job.

“I wouldn’t want to put myself in that position of a time-frame because then I’d be held to it.

“We just felt at the time we’re going to try to draft well, look to free agency where we can to try to expedite the process a little bit.

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